Scratching the surface
So how are you enjoying the site? I've just listened to episode four while looking at the swimming reindeer on the site using the deep zoom. If you haven't tried it yet, you really should. Just go to the page and click on the '+' button to the left of the photo. Then click again to get even closer or use the clickwheel on your mouse. If you click on the bottom button in that column you can fill your whole screen with the image. (Just click the same button again to return the page to normal.)There is some fantastic detail in the photo. You can actually see where the maker has scratched the tusk to show the fur on the lead reindeer's coat. Is maker the right word or should I say artist? Was there such a concept in Ice Age France? It's a question they tackled in the programme.
Was carving this object more a religious, or ritualistic, gesture than an artistic one? Was it less about making a likeness of two reindeer and more about capturing or holding their spirit? Perhaps where I see a work of art, they saw a talisman.
I guess that even when I can see this object up close, and in such amazing detail, I can never see it in the same way as they did.
It's a beautiful thing though. Undoubtedly at the top of my list of favourite tusks. Maker or artist, I hope he had some luck while out hunting reindeer that year. He deserved it.
- If you want more tips on the best ways to use the site, you can always try our FAQs.
Comment number 1.
At 25th Jan 2010, Frank wrote:I am absolutely fascinated by these early objects. I have listened to each programme 2 or 3 times.
But commentators in the programme applied a religious connotation to the Swimming Reindeer. I didn’t see it like that.
My interpretation of the Swimming Reindeer is that it was done a tribute to those animals and shows great respect to them, in the same way that Gordon Ramsay shows great respect in the way he (and Janet) rears, butchers and prepares meat for the table. The sculptor was talented in being able to conceptualise the tandem creatures in a pose possibility inspired from seeing real animals behaving this way. Of having the craft skills to be able to crave so intricately and representationally. And the ability to project them onto the gently curved shape of horn.
Yet in the end he or she was a hunter or hunt watcher who had the time and the skills. He or she probably just enjoyed the relaxation and repetition of a detailed task. And she or he had the enjoyment of the piece adorning their home or clothing.
A deity? A talisman? A religious artefact? It seems more like a hunter or butcher or cook was inspired to create because they could. And I’m very pleased they did too. Frank Cumming
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 27th Jan 2010, nesta vipers wrote:I am really enjoying this programme. Fascinating stuff. Particularly love the animals: bird pestle, swimming reindeer and particularly the cows today. Quite salutary to see how these ancestors appreciated the natural world and its significance (maybe we could learn something)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 4th Jan 2011, Jake Barowsky wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)